What Christmas?

The past seven days have dealt me a Birthday, a Christmas and now a winter camp.  I won't lie, it has been a slightly surreal time largely due to my own psychology surrounding these so called 'big events' coupled with seeing how Korean's celebrate Christmas.
  In fact in many respects, Korea doesn't really 'celebrate' Christmas but rather acknowledges it, much the same way you would when you find a strange person sitting way too close to you on the bus.  As I have grown older the magic of Christmas has slowly worn off and is now something I see in young children's eyes, reminding me of a time when I lay in bed filled with the excitement of all that Christmas offered. 
  Whilst the more cynical amongst us tend to see Christmas as a commercial exercise, I do think that we act with more kindness and are more thoughtful, even if it is to line the pockets of large corporations.  In other words we either do the right thing for the wrong reasons or the wrong thing for the right reasons - I can't decide which.  So spending Christmas wandering around a small fishing village without the slightest hint of festivity, I actually wasn't too worried that I was missing out.  In fact, if variety is the spice of life, then perhaps asking a Korean man who had just got out of bed, to cook us three chickens by 5pm is just as much fun as rushing around over-populated supermarkets filled with stressed customers whose good will has long desserted them.
 

If you are wondering what became of the chickens, then they were roasted, stuffed (with rice of course) and delivered on time providing delicious eating as well as restoring my faith in humanity. 

Geomundo Island

Map of Geumundo Island: It looks better in real life.

A week ago saw the arrival of Cassandra's father and so an itinerary was drawn up of 'Things to do in Yeosu'.  A last minute change to the schedule was an offer from Cassandra's co-teacher to visit 'Geomundo Island' which we knew absolutely nothing about.  We were under orders to be ready to depart from the Yeosu ferry terminal at 06.30 on Sunday morning and here are the pictures from a wonderful trip.




Our mode of transport. Ferry cost about KRW 70,000 return and took 2 hours to get there from Yeosu.



Some of the cargo

Apparently the British were here and built this tennis court, the first one in the whole of Korea.

This was to commemorate two British soldiers who died here after an accident with explosives.

In the town square which had a European feel.

We took a taxi over a bridge to the other side of the island and the landscape was stunning.

Not for these guys, they were carrying these air conditioning units to the top of the mountain.

The vista from above 

Saw a praying mantis

From the highest point

Geomundo Lighthouse

After hiking around the island time for drinks and dinner.

Sashimi (raw fish) with all the side dishes that go with it.

and these shells which were harbouring almighty delicacies inside.

and sea cucumber which tastes exactly as it looks and takes a lot of chewing.

Some of the fresh fish caught that day

Soju: A traditional Korean drink made from maple. It's around 14% and they like to drink it like water here - "One Shot" is a quote which you can often hear!!  It costs about KRW 1,500 a bottle which can cause some problems for anybody with alcohol issues.

Drying racks to preserve some of the fish.

Drying squid or the set of Alien 5.

It was an amazing day not least because we were welcomed so kindly and made to feel like part of the family.

This little chap even likes to finish the day the same way that I do, with a good brew, sometimes you don't seem so far from home at all.

Still Trying To Get By In Yeosu

Last year two very good friends of mine decided to put their experiences of living in South Korea into song format.  Knowing the creativity and humour of these two, it was obvious that this would be successful, a hit if you will.  Yeosu and South Korea's loss was Thailand and Eastern Canada's gain as these two stars retreated to their prospective destinations. 

I decided to write to them to see what they are up to and ask them the following

" Dear Oo-U Chogum Chuseyos,

I  wanted to write to see if it would be possible to put your wonderful video on my blog. Whilst I found some pretty entertaining videos about the Expo, I can't help but feel that your video would both pay tribute to my favourite band as well as tell my friends and family what life in Yeosu is really like?!

I hope that you can clear this with your record label and make this dream possible for me, would it be too much to ask for a re-union gig at the Expo 2012 so we could make a live film to put that on the blog, sorry I am getting way ahead of myself.

I hope that this finds you both fit and well in your particular corners of the world.
Love and best wishes to you both x "

A few days later I heard from them both....

"Dearest fan,

It's always such a pleasure to recieve mail from the people who made us what we are today... I can only speak for myself as Geoff has taken himself away to a quiet retreat somewhere in the wilds of Canada to work on "that difficult second song." It would be a privelage to be apart of your blog. I must say inbetween doing gigs in Thailand I take time out and read your most pleasurable, insightful and entertaining blog.

As for 2012 it's something a lot of fans are asking for. Let me put this on the record now, "it's not about the money," but if i do run out it's quite likely I'll be back in Korea in 2012.

I hope this clears everything up and we can move on and start discussing royalties, merchandise etc. As for the Thailand tour you should come and pay visit. We've cut a deal with Air Asia that offers cheap flights and free accomodation at "La Maison de Jack...and Grace."

Peace brother,

x "

and....

"Ben Milburn, have your people call our people.

I'd be honoured. Keep up the good blogwork. Do you think you'll still be there in 2012??? I will be in the thick of school studies in 2012, but maybe I can steal away for a week. For the music, and for our adoring fans.

There's also an open invitation for each of you, (and any Graces or Cassandras you may know), to visit the vast, beautiful land that is Canada-East. We'll get you outfitted in a Cape Breton Dinner Jacket and a proper toque, and onto a diet of poutine, donairs, and maple syrup. Complimentary accommodations at "Chez Tobin". Flights are expensive. as. f*ck. The beer is top-notch.

Be well gentlemen, I keep you in my thoughts!
Geoffrey

Here is their video. If you haven't seen this then where have you been?

Thailand Trip

Koh Samui Beach

I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to have travelled to Thailand  numerous times in the past few years and this country really stirred my soul as well as captured my heart. Here are some pictures from those trips.



Bangkok: The Commute



Koh Tao Ferry Terminal

Koh Phi Phi

Waterfall in Koh Samui

Some of the nicer accomodation available for around $18.

$4 Room. You get  what you pay for, I could only open the door if my bag was on the bed.

Koh Lanta Beach

Koh Phan Gnan Bungalow on the beach. $6 and worth every penny.

Grand Palace in Bangkok

Golden Buddha

Bangkok By Night

Bangkok By Day

Koh Tao: Nang Yuan

Bangkok: Grand Palace







Photography Contests and Galleries 2010

National Geographic Photo Contest

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/photo-contest/


International Photography Awards

http://www.photoawards.com/en/

Lonely Planet Photo Competition & Photo Mosaic

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/win/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wanderlustontheroad/show/ - My photo collection Slideshow

Gwangi: Capturing Hearts and Minds

Two students wrestling : A common sight upon entering the classroom

Recently I wrote 'A Day at the Zoo' about my experiences with a 1st grade class and I feel that an update is due.  A lot has changed in the past 12 weeks, they no longer occupy my nightmares, they have climbed down off of their desks and the strangest thing of all, is that they have actually started to listen.  Fear not their energy levels are still functioning at a premium level and they are still dancing.

  It is funny that this lifestyle, like travelling, throws up challenges and often it is the overcoming of the most difficult challenges that provides the biggest reward.

12 weeks ago I was surrounded by chaos and I can remember wondering if I would ever get these guys in their seats let alone have them remain there for any durable period of time.
This is what I am talking about...

With the class being made up of 18 extremely active and stereotypical boys, I should have known that 'Halloween' would have captured their hearts and minds.  I wouldn't have thought though, that I could use 'Ghosts, Skeletons and Vampires' to get them seated and completing worksheets and taking tests.

By far my most energetic student sitting and hard at work.

In fact nowadays they all are.

Despite the odds seeming like they were stacked against me, what I did have on my side was the fact that 22 years ago I would have been right up there on the desk with them.  It feels strange to have come full circle and now know how frustrating I would have been for any teacher trying to help me learn.

So seeing them hard at work the other day, made me realise why we teach and what the reward is.

after the first few times, wasn't sure I would ever see this type of focus.



Or that they would be thinking this hard.



Back Down South

Yeosu - number one destination to travel to in 2012.... http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/best-places-visit-2012-776891?hpt=itr_t1

Harbour area - Odongdo

Yeosu is made up by the 'Yeosu peninsular' as well as 317 islands only 49 of which are inhabited.  After receiving a job offer and googling Yeosu two years ago, I found out two things. The first is impossible to avoid nowadays which is that Yeosu will host the World Expo in 2012 and the second was that there was a gigantic industrial complex/chemical plant based there. Obviously these two factors would not normally go hand in hand but this is Korea and such factors will be overlooked when there is an opportunity to impress on the world stage. 
  Needing slightly more information before I could commit a year of my life to the city, I went to the local library knowing that the Lonely planet would surely have a more in-depth analysis and this is what I found:

Yeosu  Population 327,000
The municipality of Yeosu covers a vast area about halfway along Korea's steep, island-pocked and deeply indented southern coast.  By the time you reach Yeosu you will have seen comparable city centres, but it's shoreline, peppered with cliffs, islands and peninsulas, is spectacularly beautiful.

  My mind was made up, the bags were packed and weeks later I would arrive at my new home.  Here are the pictures...

“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.”

The road can also be a mess.

Not a prison but my first apartment

Inside the cell, I mean apartment.

Kitchen

Plan for the Expo 2012 

Plan/dream for the Expo 2012

One of the many proposed buildings for the Expo.

And another, I see different proposals every week.

Two videos for the Expo 2012, you might think that they are a joke, but I can assure you that they are not.